Social Security Administration Explains Plan to Buy 174,000 Hollow-Point Bullets

    

(AP Image)

(CNSNews.com) – The Social Security Administration posted a blog on Thursday to explain why it was planning to purchase 174,000 hollow point bullets.

SSA posted a "Request for Quote for Ammunition" on the FedBizOps.gov website on Aug. 7. The request listed the commodity that SSA desired as ".357 Sig 125 grain bonded jacketed hollow point pistol ammunition." The quantity listed was "174 TH."

The SSA’s Office of the Inspector General’s said it posted a new blog on the agency’s website, “Beyond the Numbers,” “as we strive to be a transparent and accountable government organization for all of our stakeholders.

“With those goals in mind, we thought it would be appropriate to address recent media reports regarding the organization’s purchase of ammunition for our special agents’ duty weapons,” the blog post states.

The blog states that the SSA has 295 special agents who work in 66 offices across the United States.

“These investigators have full law enforcement authority, including executing search warrants and making arrests,” the blog post states. “Our investigators are similar to your State or local police officers.

“They use traditional investigative techniques, and they are armed when on official duty,” the blog post states.

Concern expressed in some media reports about the type of ammunition ordered by the agency is unfounded, the blog states, explaining that the .357 Sig 125 grain bonded jacked hollow point pistol ammunition is “standard issue for many law enforcement agencies” and is appropriate for the work agents perform.

“Our special agents need to be armed and trained appropriately,” the blog post states.  “They not only investigate allegations of Social Security fraud, but they also are called to respond to threats against Social Security offices, employees, and customers.”

The blog also links to another post about a fight that broke out near an SSA office in Massachusetts that required action by law enforcement officials.

“SSA is processing more applications than ever, which means more traffic in SSA office,” the blog states. “Employee and visitor safety is the highest priority for OIG, which, together with the Federal Protective Services and local law enforcement, has jurisdiction over SSA workplaces.”

Prior to the blog being posted, CNSNews.com had asked the agency specific questions about its ammunition order. Although some of those questions were addressed by the information provided in the blog, the agency did not say why it needed 174,000 bullets and if that quantity was customary or had increased from previous orders.

    

View the discussion thread.

via cnsnews.com

I think the article speaks for itself. It's just weird that I never thought of the SSA having its own security force.

Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

The Sun's almost perfectly round shape baffles scientists

via phys.org

Could we ever learn the secrets of the Universe? Why this or Why that? This is pretty interesting if you can read through the scientific lingo.

Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

Cabins in the Woods — DIY Ornament #5

via homeworkshop.com

I thought this would be cute, also, if you take pics of your neighbors' homes or your friends; then you could give the at Christmas?

Oh, okay...these are adorable and look totally dimensional. Even I could do some version of this!

Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

Progress 2012: Kermit Dooley loves family, history » Features » North Jefferson News, Gardendale, AL

http://www.njeffersonnews.com/features/x328562858/Progress-2012-Kermit-Dooley-loves-family-history

“In order to appreciate where you are today, you need to know where you came from and the hardships our ancestors went through.”  This isn't the first sentence in the article about Kermit Dooley, but it is, just possibly, the core sentence for the motivation that drives Mr. Dooley in all he does.  Read the article to learn of his family history journey.  And I do mean "history".

I used to say that genealogists are some of the greatest people in the world to hang out with.  I still believe it; I just haven't had the opportunity to do a lot of it in the last five years.  I suppose if I were working the historical angle, I would say the same about historians and historical preservation.  In actuality, these are not two different fields.  Ancestors and history go hand in hand.  And when we are focusing on one or the other, we'd best include a consideration of the "other".  

I enjoy being among the family history crowd; they're usually trying to dig about the family tree, shake it and see what comes down, or whatever.  In doing so, they find themselves visiting historical sites, reading books about historical events, and most especially, trying to figure it all out.  Why were the ancestors where they were when they were?  How did the actions of one family member impact the other family members?  

Well, once again, I'm getting a little off track...and probably making no sense at this point.  Hurrah for Mr. Kermit Dooley and hurrah for us; we are on a fascinating and rewarding journey together.

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Scouting: Lifestyle Choice

No one gets into Scouting halfway. 

You either are or you aren't, involved in Scouting.  There is no "Scouting is skirting the fringes of my life" thing.  You may not be an active participant in scouting at some periods of your life, but the fabric of your life has blue and gold threads running through it: you know the lingo:

"Arrow of Light"

"Order of the Arrow"

"Eagle Scout"

"Woodbadge"

"Merit Badge"

"Little Philmont"

Just a few weeks ago, my stepson attended "Little Philmont".  Attended is probably too mild of a word.  It's a learning experience, a test of your patience and skills, a primer for Leadership-ness.  Mark is a grownup man with three jobs and a family, but he has chosen to make Scouting a part of his life.  The ranks of Scoutmasters, Committee Members, and Merit Badge Counselors are filled with just tha kind of dedicated people.   People who carve out a little time each week to develop and carry on a successful Scout program are people just like you and me--they are special because of their volunteership spirit, because they enjoy helping boys and girls be productive and engage. 

You primarily remember the "bad" campouts.  The ones that were held with the rain pouring down, with cars getting stuck in the sand, the ones when things didn't go perfectly.  Scouting mimics life.  If you can get through scouting, you are better prepared for the challenges ahead.  Even if you think you were a half-hearted Scout, try attending an Eagle Court of Honor.  The memories will flood back and a lot of them will be positive. 

I'm the mother of Scouts (all grown up Scouts); my husband was a Scout Master and I was a den leader and committee member.  I remember the night that I sat in a forest of trees at EucheeAnna Scout Camp.  There was a blazing bonfire.  There were whispers mingled with rowdy interruptions of restless Scouts.  But when the ceremony began, you had better take it seriously.  There was a solemnity about the occasion.  Afterwards, jubilation and relief.  Relief that another year was under your belt, sadness that tomorrow would be going-home day.  The crickets are chiming in, the bonfire wanes, and the parents and other visitors are getting in their cars, laughing, talking, hugging their sons goodbye. 

Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

House rejects bill penalizing doctors for sex-selective abortions - The Hill's Floor Action

The House on Thursday rejected a Republican bill that would impose fines and prison terms on doctors who perform abortions for the sole purpose of controlling the gender of the child, a practice known as sex-selective abortion.

The Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act (PRENDA), H.R. 3541, was defeated in a 246-168 vote. While that's a clear majority of the House, Republicans called up the bill under a suspension of House rules, which limits debate and requires a two-thirds majority vote to pass. In this case, it would have required more support from Democrats.

Twenty Democrats voted for the bill, while seven Republicans opposed it. The bill would have needed 30 more yeas to pass.

Suspension votes are normally used for noncontroversial bills, but the GOP-backed measure was clearly controversial. Republicans have occasionally put controversial bills on the suspension calendar in order to highlight that Democrats oppose certain policies.

In some cases, Republicans have rescheduled these bills for regular consideration after they have failed, allowing for passage by a simple majority. But Republicans gave no sign that they would try again with PRENDA.

Earlier in the day, House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) indicated that the issue of stopping sex-selective abortion is important enough that they would try again, but he was not specific.

More from The Hill:
♦ President Bush returns to White House
♦ Pelosi defends $1M tax-cut threshold against liberal critics
♦ Romney makes surprise campaign stop at Solyndra factory
♦ Romney supporters shout down Axelrod at Obama event
♦ Obama to donors: Get off sidelines and send cash now
♦ Bill Clinton to campaign against Scott Walker in Wisconsin
♦ Warren: I told Harvard I was Native American after hiring
♦ Obama official: UN proposals could lead to Internet censorship

"This is an important issue to the American people," Boehner said to reporters off the floor. "This type of sex selection most Americans find pretty repulsive, and our members feel strongly about it. That's why it is being brought to the floor."

During debate on the bill Wednesday, Republicans said the bill is consistent with the broader U.S. position that sex-selective abortion should be condemned around the world.

"In 2007, the United States spearheaded a U.N. resolution to condemn sex-selective abortion worldwide," said Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), the sponsor of the bill. "Yet, here in the land of the free and the home of the brave, we are the only advanced country left in the world that still doesn't restrict sex-selective abortion in any way."

While some Democrats made it clear that they oppose sex-selective abortion, they indicated that they oppose the bill's enforcement provisions, which they said would put in place an unacceptable limit on women's rights to choose abortion.

"We can all agree that women should not choose to terminate a pregnancy based solely on gender, but this bill criminalizes a legal procedure," Rep. Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.) said Thursday afternoon.

"The bill includes a provision that would allow a women's husband or parents, by merely alleging that an abortion is because of gender, to seek injunctive relief to prevent the doctor from performing abortion procedures, sending an incredibly private and personal decision into the courts," Rep. Jan Schakowsky (D-Ill.) added Thursday.

"It is another Republican intrusion into a woman's right to choose," said Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) of the GOP bill on Wednesday. "Women should be able to make such sensitive and private decisions with their families, their doctors and their god, free from the fear of the police."

Republicans voting against the bill were Reps. Justin Amash (Mich.), Charlie Bass (N.H.), Mary Bono Mack (Calif.), Robert Dold (Ill.), Richard Hanna (N.Y.), Nan Hayworth (N.Y.), and Ron Paul (Texas).

Democrats voting for it were Reps. Jason Altmire (Pa.), John Barrow (Ga.), Dan Boren (Okla.), Jim Cooper (Tenn.), Jerry Costello (Ill.), Mark Critz (Pa.), Henry Cuellar (Texas), Joe Donnelly (Ind.), John Garamendi (Calif.), Tim Holden (Pa.), Larry Kissell (N.C.), Daniel Lipinski (Ill.), Stephen Lynch (Mass.), Jim Matheson (Utah), Mike McIntyre (N.C.), Collin Peterson (Minn.), Nick Rahall (W.Va.), Silvestre Reyes (Texas), Mike Ross (Ark.) and Heath Shuler (N.C.).

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via thehill.com

House rejects bill penalizing doctors from performing sex selective abortions. (thehill.com).

How did this happen? Do we really think we can expect God to bless our country if this type of practice is coddled?!!

How can our congressmen and women (7 Republicans among them) vote no on this bill? When did it become an option in the USA to choose sex (gender) over a child's right to be born? I have looked to see who (which of the congress reps) voted not to support the bill. I haven't found a list, yet, so if anyone can tell me how to find that out, I would be very apprreciative.

I appreciate life. It's both beautiful and difficult. Sometime when we're not paying attention it can get pretty hum-drum. I'm so proud that my mother and father didn't say, "Whoops, it's gonna be a girl", and rush off to find a way to keep me from coming on board the bus whose destination was EARTH. What sacrifices did they make in their lives for the joy of having me? How do I know it was joy? Because they took a lot of pictures. Because they took the time to teach me stuff, to share themselves with me. I like being a girl and I like being alive.

Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

[FLOKALOO] WFGS - Navigating Family Search

West Florida Genealogical Society

Date: June 2, 2012
Time:  10:00 AM
Place:  Asbury Place, 5725 N. 9th Ave., corner College Blvd.
Speaker:  Lee Scott.
Topic:  LDS Family Search.org update.

The   LDS Family Search.org  website has a new look and ever-expanding
content.  It takes a little practice to relearn to use it.  Lee is an
LDS member and has volunteered off and on at the Family History Center
since 1975.  There have been many changes in research techniques and
technology in the last 35 years.   Lee is constantly surfing to keep
abreast of the latest.  She is a past president of WFGS and past editor
of Footprints and the current newsletter editor.

2011 Footprints will be available at the meeting.
Escambia Co. FL new Marriage Records Index book 1910-1918 will be available.

Mark your Calendar:  Nov. 3 - Megan Smolenyak Seminar.  Outstanding
genealogist and
        speaker.  Google her name for more info on her.
        Topics Nov. 3:
http://www.honoringourancestors.com/schedule.html

Contact:  Cynthia Dean cgdean@bellsouth.net    850-432-7072

Allen Lawrence
List Admin
-------------------------------
To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FLOKALOO-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

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inauthor:"pete daniel" - Google Search

I was looking around at Google Books and found this author who writes about the South. Can't wait to see how he reads.

Quotes:

inauthor:"pete daniel" - Google Search

This message was sent to you by Margaret Harris via Diigo

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Keepsakes: What's worth keeping?

I am at a crossroads in my life right now.  My husband is currently residing at the nursing home 13 miles away, my two youngest children are deciding which way and how soon they will fly the coop, and I need to downsize for financial and other reasons!

So, what to do with all the stuff I have accumulated over the past years?  A lot of it falls into the category of keepsakes, memoirs material, relics, photographs, and so on.  I am sitting here, right now, looking at some of the mementos, just in my own bedroom!

  This is an old Christmas basket filled with sewing supplies, scrap pieces of lace, etc.  The next photo shows the same bookcase in a larger view; most of the "stuff" surrounding the basket is genealogy related: files, books, notebooks, etc.

 

I confess to saving knick-knacks, also! 

  The first Valentine's day after my husband had his stroke, I went out and bought this little novelty item.  The mama bear is giving the papa bear some flowers.  For other pictures of my junk, beloved heirlooms, etc., check out my blog http://ancestorant.blogspot.com.

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Inertness

Finding myself in a quandary
About what to do what to do
My senses are inert
They resist actions
Like thinking
Like planning

All that it is left:
A warm bed welcomes my being during the earliest hours of the night,
I want to get an early start on dreams and on nothingness.
Perhaps, in case I don't sleep well, I will have ample time to rest.

Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

What's a Beat?

What's a beat?  When researching your ancestors in the census, you are apt to come across the physical location terminology, "beat". 

We are familiar with the "cop's beat" and we have a general idea of what is being referred to.  Is a census "beat" the same thing?

To get an intelligent or a more in-depth explanation/answer, I went first to the Free Census Project of USGenWeb.  Under the heading of Subdistricts and Enumeration Districts we find that different terms were used when the boundaries of the the county were indistinct or before they were even designated. 

Boundaries of towns and other minor civil divisions, and in some cases of counties were ill defined, so enumerators were frequently uncertain whether a family resided in their own or an adjoining district. For this reason, it is not unusual to find individuals and families listed twice in the census and others missed entirely."

And again:

In a few states and territories, such as Arizona, Louisiana, Orleans, South Carolina, and others, the county divisions have been known by other names. In other places in some years, counties have not existed or have not been used, so other means of dividing up the state or territory have been used. Common examples of these names are Beat, Division, Judicial District, District, etc.

 

And at another Internet source, we can review the instructions that were given to enumerators/census takers; it's a little lengthy, but since this was the 1880 Census and since the processes were of a federal nature, we will cite the whole paragraph:

The supervisor of census is by law charged with the following duties:

First. To propose to the Superintendent of the Census the apportionment of his district into subdivisions most convenient for the purpose of enumeration. These subdivisions are not allowed by law to exceed 4,000 inhabitants, according to the census of 1870, and can be made as much smaller as the good of the service may require. Administratively, the census office has favored the plan of small subdivisions; and of the 15,000 subdivisions reported up to the present date, the average estimate of population is not in excess of 2,000. Generally speaking, each existing civil division, whether a town, township, military district, "beat," or precinct, has been constituted one or more enumeration districts. In comparatively few cases two townships or more, of small population, have been constituted one enumeration district. It is anticipated that the total number of enumeration districts for all the States and Territories will be closely in the neighborhood of 28,000.

 

We know that initially, the Enumeration District, and knowing which one to look at for our relatives, will become indispensable in searching the 1940 Census, but what about the Beat, the Beat, the Beat; are we any closer to knowing what it designates?  Chime in, will you, if you have any info on this!

 

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Valparaiso Community Library

http://www.fl-genweb.org/waok/okaloosa/valp-lib.htm
Excellent article with photos of the Valparaiso Community Library, describes it as a "superb resource" for history and genealogy research. 

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What we don't do for our students...

Why do I think that I have to keep up with everything new under the sun that has to do with Family History, aka "Genealogy"?

I used to read Dick Eastman's online genealogy newsletter, every single issue, till lately.  Now, I'm lucky if I can get through a couple of articles. 

Why?  Because I'm too busy trying to keep up with Megan Smolenyak's adventures (in genealogy, what else?), the latest updates from RootsMagic, the software, reading genealogy blogs such as Genealogy's Star, and downloading George Morgan's podcast with Drew Smith (The Genealogy Guys) for my Smartphone.

And somehow, I have to put in some time researching my ancestors, especially since I'm supposed to be teaching others how to do it.

Yes, it's true that I have Legacy FamilyTree, the standard version on my computer, but I also have PAF, and GRAMPS, as well.  Just so I can listen intelligently when I talk about other people's programs. 

Is it any wonder that I don't recognize myself when I look in the mirror, nowadays? 

Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

Ten Physical Abilities I'm Grateful For:

1. The Gift of Sound--I enjoy listening to wonderful music, to talented musicians, to my sweet husband's voice saying prayer, to young children playing, to the rain hitting my roof---this list could go on and on.  I am thankful for my ears and my ability to hear.
2. The Gift of Sight--these are not in order of importance--just as I think of them.  How lovely is the sunset!  I love color and the sunset has some beautiful hues.  I love the faces of those in our family and friends, too.  I love animals, watching them, amazed at them and I love beauty in all of nature and in art, watching the ballet.  
3.  I am thankful for the sense of touch.  There's nothing like a warm hug, a kiss on the cheek, someone massaging my back.  I like holding a baby and feeling its soft cheeks.  I like the warm water in a bath, the cool breeze on a summer's eve.
4. I'm grateful for the wonder of this amazing piece of machinery that I call my body.  All of its parts work together and in tandem to perform the work of pumping blood, take a breath of fresh air, process the food that I take into my body and extracting the nutrients, while discarding the waste!  I love the mobility of a finely tuned body, or at least one that I'm taking care of (when I take care of myself).  At my age, I'm losing mobility, but I remember what it was like when I could do anything, go places, bend and pick pecans, and I miss it.  And best of all, my body houses my spirit (that which is the essence of me).
5. I am thankful for the sense of taste, for the salty things, the sweetness of pecan pie, the refreshing taste of cantaloupe, and I even love the taste of some vegetables, especially if they're seasoned the Southern way.  
6.  I am grateful for rhythm in my bones!  In my psyche I guess.  I love to dance, keep time to the music, sway to the music of The Sound of Music.  I love to sing, when I have the voice for it.  Mostly, I love to sing with others, with people on tv, or along with the music of a CD.  
7. I am thankful for my hands.  I love using my hands; my mother never sat down without something to work on with her hands.  She crocheted throws out of colorful yarn; she made many of my dresses when I was growing up.  I learned to sew and make my own clothes.  I also learned to make bread, without a bread maker appliance.  I kneaded the bread and lathered it with butter when it came out of the oven (that makes the crust soft).  My mother taught me how to shell peas, pick blueberries, etc.  Using my hands has given me a deep satisfaction because it has to do with accomplishing something as opposed to accomplishing nothing.  With my hands I can play the piano, crack nuts, pat the earth over a newly planted seed, and best of all, my right hand can write using pencil and paper.  I love scrabble and sudoku, and sometimes do crosswords.  With two hands I can compose using a keyboard and computer.
8. I am grateful for the sense of smell.  There are good smells, bad smells, and smells that define an item, warn us of impending danger, help find the garden.  I love the smell of Christmas trees and roses.
9.  I am grateful for my brain.  It is a wonderful and very necessary part of my physical abilities.  It keeps my memories, helps me plan, and it soaks in tons of information, most of which I think important but could easily fall under the category of trivia.  
10. I'm thankful for my feet and legs, the ability to walk and stand and do stuff (like dance).  Through the mechanics of walking, I can wait on my husband who no longer can walk.  My legs and feet support my body while I do a little bit of caregiving, along with the attendant duties. What a privilege it is to work and move around and help others.

Data is the New Black

I meant to just refer any readers out there to this article, but the linking of it to Blogger contained more than I thought it was going to.  I want you to know that I don't follow every bit of the article, but I can grasp a few things and from that I have concluded that this is the beginning of one very technology driven science fiction era in which are living.

Data is the New Black:
At our recent Preservation Storage Meeting, the word “data” was frequently mentioned. This was of some note to me, as cultural heritage organizations have, until recently, spoken of “collections” and “content” or even “files,” but not data. This is of course not the case at universities, where social science and observational datasets are very much a part of the custodial landscape. But most libraries, archives, and museums have not considered their collections to be data.

Martha Anderson recently blogged on this topic very eloquently.

I want to say this out loud: we all have data, from metadata to full-text collections to more formal datasets. We used to talk non-stop about metadata. Now we talk about data. Data is the new black.

Linking Open Data cloud diagram, by Richard Cyganiak and Anja Jentzsch. http://lod-cloud.net/

The Storage Meeting and a recent meeting with a software vendor have had me thinking specifically about what constitutes “Big Data.” The definition of Big Data is very fluid, as it is a moving target — what can be easily manipulated with common tools — and specific to the organization: what can be managed and stewarded by any one institution in its infrastructure. One researcher or organization’s concept of a large data set is small to another.

In one conversation that I remember not too long ago, an organization was surprised to find that they would need 10 TB of storage for a large digital collection. I now know of collections that add that many TB in a single week.

The Twitter archive has 10s of billions of tweets in it.

The Chronicling America collection has over 4 million page images with OCR.

Web Archives, such as the one at the Library of Congress, may be comprised of billions of files.

And researchers may want to interact with a collection of artifacts, or they may want to work with a data corpus. Some may want to search for stories in historic newspapers. Some may want to mine newspaper OCR for trends across time periods and geographic areas. Some may want to see what a specific user tweeted. Some may want to look at the spread of an event hashtag across the world in a day.

We still have collections. But what we also have is Big Data, which requires us to rethink the infrastructure that is needed to support Big Data services. Our community used to expect researchers to come to us, ask us questions about our collections, and use our digital collections in our environment. We transitioned into a partially self-serve model when we moved online. But can we support real-time querying of billions of full-text items? Can we provide tools for collection analysis and visualization? Can we support the frequent downloading by researchers of collections that may be over 200 TB each? These are among the questions that all of our institutions are grappling with as we build large digital collections and discover new ways in which they can be used.

{FLPanhandle Genealogy} The Seven Steps of the Research Process | olinuris.library.cornell.edu - StumbleUpon

Will this guide help us with genealogy research?   Read through the material and see what you think.  In addition, I did want to point out the feature, "Ask a Librarian".  Has anyone utilized that option?  If so, share a little bit about your experience.

http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/2vM9IA/olinuris.library.cornell.edu/ref/research/skill1.htm

Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

A Link Recommended

10 Things To Stop Caring About Today

VA-History-Exchange

VA-History-Exchange

Genealogy, the search for our ancestry, of necessity, encompasses history. As we become more involved in the strategy of research, we learn to look for clues in the pedigree chart: date and place. Developing a chronology (timeline) for our ancestor is not just something interesting to do; building a backdrop (a stage, a setting) for each leaf on the family tree provides direction for our research. See if you can detect (as in "detective") the why, the where, the when, the what and you will begin to discover clues that will lead you to the "rest of the story". Be sure to download the Power Point presentation, "Untold Stories from the Virginia Frontier" if you want to see how history and family members are intertwined.

Are your genealogy files in your will?

Are your genealogy files in your will?   Like to read? If you've spent hours researching your family history, you will want to read this e-mail and the articles recommended by Leland K. Meitzler and Lee Everton, editors of the free "Genealogy Newsline". When Tuesday, Sep 27, 2011 GMT-05:00 Where In your cozy chair... Who (Guest list has been hidden at organizer's request)

Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

Misleading Genealogy Advice for Beginners – Free Guide to Tracing your Ancestry and Researching your Family Tree.

"There’s a difference between knowing something and being able to explain it so someone else can understand it. Plus, an explanation that makes sense to an experienced person may be totally confusing to a novice. This is why so many people give up ancestor hunting before they really get started. So, what’s the answer?"

Quotes:

Misleading Genealogy Advice for Beginners – Free Guide to Tracing your Ancestry and Researching your Family Tree.

• There’s a difference between knowing something and being able to explain it so someone else can understand it. Plus, an explanation that makes sense to an exper ienced person may be totally confusing to a novice. This is why so many people give up ancestor hunting before they really get started. So, what’s the answer?

Read more »

( http://message.diigo.com/message/misleading-genealogy-advice-for-beginners-fr... )

This message was sent to you by Margaret Harris via Diigo

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10 Steps to Writing Your Family History

10 Steps to Writing Your Family History

Kimberly Powell offers some thoughtful insights on a topic I've often considered: when and how can I produce a history of my family? She points out that there are several ways to accomplish this. One method that is kind of attractive to me is the idea of "publishing" a family cookbook. The great thing about projects of this type are that, in these days of desktop publishing, with Kinko's or Office Depot just an digital second away, we have the opportunity to be simple and straigtforward with our task. Other types of publishing offer an less expensive way to complete a more formal presentation that just wasn't available twenty or thirty years ago.

So what will be the format be for our family history? Will we design a memoir or a pedigree? Will we collect and publish family recipes, then annotate it? A scrapbook is what many have chosen to put together, but I can't help but think that I need to do something that can be circulated among our family members and perhaps friends.

Will 2012 be the year? Kimberly's article remind us to choose a deadline that will be realistic and manageable. This article covers several points that can help us make this goal a realistic objectiive.

Family Search and a Free Newsletter in Your E-Mail

Area-Info.net is the pipeline for lots of good stuff!  It is through them that I receive the Genealogy Newsline,  a free genealogy newsletter that comes straight to my e-mail inbox.  The newsletter is a product of Family Roots Publishing and is written by Leland K. Meitzler.

One article is massive good news:  FamilySearch has updated and posted the 1865 Illinois State Census, (Labor Day 2011); other record collections that were completed and posted on Labor Day have been integrated into the GenealogyBlog Online Database Links Files.

What would we do without folks like Leland?!!  We'd be wandering around in the dark, I'm afraid. 

Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

Heritage Books Labor Day Sale

To:	la376@bellsouth.net

HPC’s Giant Labor Day Sale!

(Prices good while supplies last or until September 30, 2011)

 

Buy One County Heritage Book at Regular Price & Get One of the following books at Half-Price! 

 

* Plus FREE SHIPPING *

 

For a list of all our products, go to <heritagepublishing.net>

 

Go to our Website and select a book at regular price.

 

Example: Hill County, TX, Vol. II @ $60.00. Go down the list below and select any of the listed books. Perhaps, Autauga, AL. You get both for $90.00 and no S&H charges. You save $30.00 on the 2nd book and $9.00 S&H.

 

Alabama

Autauga – $60

Blount – $65

Bullock - $60

Butler – $60

Calhoun – $55

Choctaw – $65

Clarke – $60

Coffee – $60

Colbert – $55

Cullman – Vol. I – $55

Cullman – Vol. II – $60

Dallas – $55

DeKalb – Vol. II – $60

Elmore – $65

Etowah – $55

Houston – $60

Jackson – $60

Lauderdale - $60

Lawrence – $65

Lee – $60

Lowndes – $60

Mobile – $60

Monroe – $55

Perry – $55

Pickens – $55

Pike – $70

Russell – $60

St. Clair – $65

Sumter – $60

Tuscaloosa – $65

Walker – $60

Washington – $55

Winston – Vol. II – $60

 

Florida

Bay – Vol. I – $60

Escambia – Vol. I – $60

Escambia – Vol. II – $60

Holmes – $65

Jackson – $60

Liberty – $60

Okaloosa – Vol. I – $60

Okaloosa – Vol. II – $60

Santa Rosa – Vol. II – $60

Walton – $60

 

Encyclopedia of Florida Sheriffs 2 volume set – $65  (counts as 1 Book)

 

Others

Folsom, LA – $25

Wayne Co., MS – Vol. II – $55

Terry Co., TX – $65

 

AL residents add 4% Sales Tax, KY residents add 6% Sales Tax

 

Mail your check/MO to the address below or call and charge your order

HPC or Heritage Publishing

PO Box 22128

Louisville, KY 40252   

 

We accept phone orders for Visa/MC/Disc/AMX/Debit

 

1-800-568-1611 or (502) 423-9016

FAX (502) 423-9017

 

We have sold out of Calhoun County, FL. However, we have reprinted Tallapoosa County, AL.

 

If you do not wish to receive emails from us, please return this message with "Delete".

Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

Exhibit Opening Reception, Military Memories - Sat. SEPT. 3, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. at the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida

From:	Gina Marini <gmarini@co.okaloosa.fl.us>

Dear Museum Members,

Thank you for your continued support of our work at the Heritage Museum and for helping to keep history alive in our community.

Because we value your membership, join us during the opening reception of Military Memories on Sept. 3, 10a-12p and receive a special gift while supplies last.

Thank you!

  

Exhibit Opening Reception
Military Memories – On the Home front & At War
Saturday, September 3, 10 a.m.-12 p.m. at the
Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida

Valparaiso, FL - The Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida will hold the official opening reception with refreshments for their new exhibit, Military Memories – On the Home front & At War, sponsored by Pioneer Technologies, Inc. on Saturday, September 3 from 10 a.m.  – 12 p.m.  Military Memories features original artifacts from the Museum’s collection from the Civil War, WWI, WWII and the Vietnam War.  In addition, on loan from local POW Howard Hill, is the original uniform he wore during his 5 years as a Prisoner of War during the Vietnam conflict.   Historian, Michael Weech will be available to explain about the exhibit and discuss military history with an emphasis on the history of Eglin Air Force Base.  September 3rd is also the last day for active duty military and their families to take advantage of free admission as part of Blue Star Museums, a nationwide program in which the Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida is one of over 1400 museums participating. 

Event:              Military Memories Exhibit Opening Reception

Where:             Heritage Museum of Northwest Florida
                        115 Westview Avenue, Valparaiso, FL

When:              Saturday, September 3, 2011, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m.

Contact:          (850) 678-2615
                        www.heritage-museum.org

Cost:               General museum admission applies
                        Free for Active duty military and their families
                       Free for Heritage Museum members

###

See the full gallery on Posterous

Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

GSOC Sept. Meeting

Original Message --------

Subject:	GSOC Sept. Meeting
Date:	Fri, 2 Sep 2011 10:09:46 -0500
From:	Pat <QueenDecor@cox.net>
To:	<Queendecor@cox.net>
CC:	'

Hello All

The September meeting of the Genealogical Society of Okaloosa County will be a field trip to the University of West Florida main campus in Pensacola.  We  will be visiting the John C. Pace Library Archives and History Center. Meeting is scheduled for 10:00 AM on Saturday, 10 September.  Visitors are welcome to join us there.  After the meeting, those who wish will share a Dutch Treat lunch in Pensacola.  Those who wish to car pool from Niceville will meet at the large sign at the Palm Plaza parking lot on John Simms Parkway at 8:30 AM. 

Check out our Newsletter at our GSOC Website for more details and a map thanks to Jim Young , our Websmaster.

Pat Pruett, Publicity Chairperson GSOC 678-2023

Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

[FLOKALOO] WFGS - Research tips program

For more information about my group at Windows Live,
just e-mail FamilyHistoryFriends@groups.live.com

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Cynthia Dean <cgdean@bellsouth.net>
Date: Wed, Aug 31, 2011 at 9:08 PM
Subject: [FLOKALOO] WFGS - Research tips program
To: FLOKALOO@rootsweb.com

West Florida Genealogical Society
Meeting date:  Sept. 3, 2011
Place:  West FL Genealogy Library
            5740 N. 9th Ave., Pensacola
Time:  10:00 AM

A favorite speaker, Jerry Merritt, will give a Power Point presentation on
research tips:

1.  Help to figure ages in pre-1850 censuses
2.  Preserving and restoring old photographs on your home computer
3. Using reverse search techniques to find other researchers with whom
to trade information
4. Using land records to find where your ancestors lived
5. Solutions to long-term storage of your research

Attendees will receive a link to a copy of the Power Point presentation
to download and use at home.

Contact:  Cynthia Dean   850-432-7072 cgdean@bellsouth.net
Allen Lawrence
List Admin
-------------------------------
To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FLOKALOO-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

Now, this one was challenging...

This one was tough!

I love a good puzzle...

Have some fun with JigZone Puzzle Site.

Now on the horizon: 200th Anniversary of the War of 1812

Exclusive preview of PBS's upcoming War of 1812 Documentary is available at Baltimore Genealogy and History (Examiner.com) website.

Other War of 1812 Resources:

• Find links at Google, Bing, and other search engines.
• Visit FootNote.com
• Access "the largest online collection of War of 1812 records" at Ancestry.com
• Library of Congress (loc.gov)
• Bone up on the facts, Visit a Library today near you!
• Plan an 2012 Summer Vacation and Visit Memorials, Events, Etc.

Examples of What You'll Find:

• SparkNotes.com: The War of 1812 (1809-1815); [it's the economy, stupid.  Follow the money...]
• Washington DC War of 1812 Bicentennial
• Wikipedia: War of 1812 
• My Ancestors in the War of 1812 (Good Job!)
• Another stellar site: Leaves for Trees (Military Monday)

Don't forget to check for images, maps, and more on the Internet.

For more information about my group at Windows Live,
just e-mail FamilyHistoryFriends@groups.live.com

Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

Family Roots Publishing - Home (Brief Review)

http://www.familyrootspublishing.com/

Do you want to receive even more e-mail?  Well, this site offers a free Genealogy Newsline newsletter that you can opt to receive in your e-mail box.  There are scads and scads of genealogy newsletters.  Some of them are syndicated and can be read in your news reader.  And some are available to be read online, as well as in your e-mail "box".

The one that I recently received was the eighteenth edition of the Newsline.  To give you and idea of the content, I'm listing a brief list of its features:

•     Salt Lake Christmas Tour (numerous trips to The Family History Library; attendees will recieve assisted research at the library from experienced professional genealogists ALL WEEK LONG.  There are ten classes and workshops scheduled for the week, all presented by Thomas MacEntee.  Be sure to take in the Christmas lights and tour of Temple Square and if possible, attend a free rehearsal of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.  Editors, Lee Everton and Leland K. Meitzler are the hosts and organizers for the 27th Annual Christmas Tour.

• • One of the features of the Newsline (really handy for those of us without a brain--I for one need numerous reminders), is a list of the recent addition of records just posted to FamilySearch.org.  This feature lets us know that new USA Vital Records Data is now available, including digital imagesand indexes. 
  • A plug for Aero-Info.net (a way to publish your local genealogical or other types of events).  Can I call it a "plug" if it's free to do that? 
  • New book review.  After all, the website is a publishing company for genealogy books. 
  • Articles.  This time, one titled, "Oregon Historic Newspapers".
  • Special Sales of published materials and books.  This company also publishes state guides, etc, but you may not want to forget to check for free guides from other sources before you pay big bucks.  Just Google "free genealogy guides for U.S. States" or something like that.
    
  • Another plug for Aero-Info.net: a place to express your personal opinions as many times as you wish about anything, I guess!  And don't forget you can share news of your town and society at this venue.
  • News from the Genealogy World.  To get the latest news and commentary, visit GenealogyBlog.com.

Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

[FLOKALOO] WFGS - Change of speaker

For more information about my group at Windows Live,
just e-mail FamilyHistoryFriends@groups.live.com

From: Cynthia Dean <cgdean@bellsouth.net>

Date: Fri, Aug 5, 2011 at 8:24 AM

Due to a death in the family of the scheduled speaker
on Indian Research, we
  will,  instead,  be  having Dot Brown to talk about
"What is a Florid Cracker?" 
Dot is a long-time genealogist, writer and delightful speaker.
  You will enjoy her.  Visitors are welcome.
  Sat. 10:00 AM.  West Florida Genealogy Library,
5740 N. 9th Ave., Pensacola
  For info, contact Cynthia Dean   432-7072

Allen Lawrence
List Admin
-------------------------------
To unsubscribe from the list, please send an email to FLOKALOO-request@rootsweb.com with the word 'unsubscribe' without the quotes in the subject and the body of the message

Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

FT.com / US / Economy & Fed - Jobs data stoke US recovery fears

FT.com / US / Economy & Fed - Jobs data stoke US recovery fears

How many factories in your town? What is your city's main source for jobs? I don't think the country is beyond economic recovery, but just in case I'm wrong, perhaps we should cut down on our TV and our golf and learn how to be self-sustaining, somewhat. Remember the (according to my kids), "ancient text" of the Fox Fire Books? Amazon offers them and there are other publications with a similar, though never as genuine/original/earthy as the Foxfire Books.

I'm pretty ignorant about things these days; I can't remember the last time I walked into an old-fashioned hardware store and bought a hoe, or any other gardening tool for that matter. Fortunately, hoes can be purchased in many different places today, even online.

Now, if only I wasn't out of shape, having trouble with my back, and not wanting to bend those knees........

I'm sure I can find a project and accomplish something toward this goal, but first I'll just check the Internet and see what info is out there for beginners.

Home Sweet Home

Ed and I would appreciate you letting us know if you can help with our huge family project for this summer.  We'll need some volunteers when the big day comes, but, FIRST, we have to find a house.

Memories on Memorial Day

Last night as my husband and I watched the great Memorial Day Concert at the Capitol in D.C., my mind began to travel back in time to those in my family who served our country.  Let Freedom Ring!  The concert and program were amazing.

First, I will touch on my biological father, largely absent from my growing up years.  For some reason, I can't locate his photo anywhere, but here's the scooop:

He and my mother were divorced when I was a baby.   Dewey Earnest Winters was in the armed services even before he met my mother; when World War Two ended, it was only a short few years before he was back in the thick of the fighting in the Korean War.  He got shrapnel in his leg.  I now own the flag that was presented at his funeral and I was able to get his military records and medals, also, through the National Archives Web site.  I honor my father, Dewey, today.

Brother of Dewey Winters: A.W. Winters and Wife

Thanks to the volunteer who had this posted.  I have misplaced my own photo.

Missing the mark in Florida

I, for one, am famous at hearing and storing snippets of conversations, snippets of news broadcasts, and snippets of things that are posted by others, (yes, even the newspaper).  From these snippets, I form an opinion or deduce what I think are the facts.  Sometimes, this data ain't correct.  The conclusions I've drawn are erroneous or incomplete.

For example:  Staff's Restaurant in Fort Walton Beach is a landmark building.  The Staff and Gerlach and Bass families have been offering food up for locals and tourists since 1913.  It was established on the waterfront of the Intracoastal Waterway which meanders through the area and in Fort Walton Beach is often referred to simply as "The Sound".  Still, to this day, the fresh seafood arrives, almost literally, at Staff's back door.  That seafood is the hallmark of  Staff's menu, along with its rich, homemade chocolate cake.

My brother who has been living out West for the last several years, was in town and invited my sister and I (old homies that we are), to dine with him at Staff's.  As we approached the building, we could discern no sign of activity or patronage.  People weren't flocking to the doors and the parking lot was curiously empty.  I opined, "maybe they're closed or gone out of business; I think I heard that they were going to close their doors".  "I think I heard"?!!!  How many times those exact same words have escaped my lips? 

Well, we were hungry and it wasn't quite tourist time yet, so we got out to test my lame theory.  The restaurant was open and we went in and were ushered to a nice table near the window.  As soon as we got settled, I asked our serving person about the "rumor" that Staff's was closing.  He informed me that the newspaper had kind of got it wrong.  Staff's was the only restaurant to not receive compensation from BP for the oil spill of last summer.  They had applied but had been turned down.  If they didn't get those funds then some type of shake-up might indeed become necessary.  Calamity had indeed struck the Gulf Coast of Florida, Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana in 2010 and Staff's was located on "Miracle Strip Parkway", the part of State Highway 98 that goes through the City of Fort Walton Beach.  Tourism is vital to the economy in these parts.

So, for now, anyway, the good news is that Staff's Restaurant is staying open.  We picked up a little newspaper-like leaflet, there, detailing the history of the eatery and the families who helped to settle Fort Walton Beach.  My brother ordered gumbo and ate every bite; I got grilled shrimp and fresh steamed veggies and my sister ordered fried oysters.  We passed a pleasant hour together, caught up with this and that and topped it off with a three-way split of the wonderful chocolate cake.  Our experience included a chat with one of the family members who jointly keep the restaurant going, but before I go spouting off my bits and pieces approach to news reporting, again, I will go to the source, first, and get the real story.  It's so much more personal.  Of course, that isn't practical in every case.  So, what do you suggest?

Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

Population change - Māori population change - Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Population change - Māori population change - Te Ara Encyclopedia of New Zealand

Quite a fascinating bunch of studies and graphs, here. Will have to study up on NZ history and stuff!

Church Humanitarian Aid, Japanese Church Members Helping People Suffering From Disaster

Church Humanitarian Aid, Japanese Church Members Helping People Suffering From Disaster:

This was updated March 29th. Our family prayers for the Japanese people are frequent and sincere. I hope they feel our love as they struggle and strive to stay safe and recover their families and their lifelines.

Church News and Events - Atlanta Georgia Temple Open House and Rededication

Church News and Events - Atlanta Georgia Temple Open House and Rededication

I would love to go to the Open House! Quick trip up and back.

A bit of melodrama

A Find of a Lifetime: Jefferson Books Quest Ends at Washington University « Thomas Jefferson’s Monticello

via monticello.org

What a stretch! I mean from Thomas Jefferon's environs to St. Louis! I love to hear about stuff like this. The project was indeed something to celebrate.

Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

Japanese Magnolias are Blooming

Spring is three weeks away.  Usually, we can count on some coolish weather continuing through at least the first two weeks of April.  I have the A/C on because for some weird scientific reason, the house gets warm or retains the warmth of the day, longer.  Outside, it is rainy, humid, but definitely not hot or cold.  I look forward to all the flowers blooming, the azaleas in their full glory, the trees getting tender green leaves, etc. etc..  I don't look forward to warm weather even though we've had one of the coldest winters I can remember.  It just so happens that when the humidity is high, I am constantly sweating, truthfully dropping large drops from my hair to my face, big liquid tears of perspiration drenching my hair, neck, body, etc.

Here are some of the spring photos I've taken in Northwest Florida in years past.

         

Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

Day Trip Suggestion

 

Mississippi Rails--Tony Howe Art

At the Baker Block Museum in Baker, Florida, there are a couple of books about the role of the railroad in Southern Alabama and Northwest Florida.  I'm pretty sure that some of my ancestors had ties to the railroad in the area, so, when I picked up a copy of the Hurlburt Patriot and saw an article about Foley, Alabama's railroad station, I was eager to read it.

The Train Depot, along with the Foley Archives & History Museum is located in Foley, Alabama, just north of Gulf Shores and west of Pensacola.  Not only is the museum interesting for children, but the kids wil lalso like an old fashioned ice cream parlor, just down the street.  A park is located next to the museum.

Directions from Fort Walton Beach to Foley Archives & History Museum: 

• Go north on SR 85 to I-10, go west beyond Pensacola and into Alabama.
  
• Head south on Highway 49.  The museum is located at the intersection of Highway 59 and Laurel Avenue (Hwy 98). 
  
• You can also simply drive west on 98 till you get there! 
  

To contact, call phone number is 251-943-1818.  Admission is FREE.  Open Monday through Friday 10 a.m. until 4 p.m..  Model Train exhibit, Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday, 10 a.m. to 2p.m.

Food is available for purchase at the nearby old-fashioned drug store and ice cream parlor provides light refreshments.

If you are doing background research on your railroad man, be sure to view the beautiful pictures of trains and such check these sites:

1. Train Paintings
2. Rail Art by Shane.

Learn how to retrieve pensions for railroad your ancestor who worked on the railroad: Click Here.

Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

Kevin needs help.

My son, Kevin, is age 24; he broke his ankle a couple of weeks ago and needs surgery asap.  He doesn't have insurance.  If you can give even $1, it would mean a lot to our family.  Donate today, please.

The baby is Kevin's little nephew, Josh.  The tattoo is fake.  Kevin is into physical fitness; can you tell?

Gather and Tether Your Data

Round up all your boxes, notebooks, CD's, scraps of paper, file folders, etc.--anything that pertains to your genealogy, get it all together in one area.  Then, and only then, will you be able to organize (or more appropriately, perhaps, re-organize) your "stuff" [as President Obama would say].  Surely we can confine our research to a few shelves, a couple of filing cabinets, or several drawers.  IN THE SAME AREA.  If we have to run from room to room, from downstairs to upstairs, or whatever, we are wasting precious time that could be better spent finding our ancestors.

Posted via email from Margaret's posterous

State of the Union

President Obama uses the word "investment" as if our government has money with which to make an investment.  Our government's investment should be to trust private industry to develop according to the market.  I'm sure that a lot of hearts just fell to the floor when he indicated he didn't want our country to invest in the oil business any more.  What, we're going to punish Sarah Palin and all those who stand with her, in maximizing Alaska's resources?  We need refineries built and refreshed; our country still has plenty of this resource, don't you think?

We are going to be force fed, if the President gets his way, with green energy.  I'm all for conserving our natural resources, re-purposing old stuff instead buying new stuff, and using "clean energy".  What I'm not all for is the federal government buying up all the land and lakes and mountains.  I'm not all for the government taking the role of protecting us from things that might be bad for our health.  Of course, there are many ways to approach valid concerns and take moderate steps in cleaning up our world and our lifestyle.  I'm not sure any of those ways really need to be regulated by the President and his cohorts.  Bureaucracy starts at the top and trickles down or floods down, rather, the tentacles of federal power spreading and invading into every corner of our lives.

No salt, no fat, no dirty coal, no oil; how long before Big Brother wants to control our television watching habits, our reading styles, our religious practices, etc., etc., etc.?

Read the text of the speech the President gave tonight and look for the code.

Is it really the business of Congress to protect us from wearing earphones in both ears?

Meridian Magazine - The First Archaeological Support for the Book of Mormon

Meridian Magazine - The First Archaeological Support for the Book of Mormon

I would have been an archaeologist in another life, I think. How fun to jet around the world and walk the pathways of the ancients. It is both historically satisfying and tangible to those who are involved in the field, I would imagine. To reach out and touch an altar where perhaps Lehi once officiated, is this spiritual or what? I mean, that is the message her, right? I haven't read the whole article, so I guess I'd have to get more scholastically involved here, before I get too excited. Still, the prospects are exceedingly enticing.